PTA president with financial background used ATMs to steal $22K from school, police say

Too much responsibility for money, not enough oversight. Often, that’s how embezzlers thrive. But once they start — many can’t stop, even though they tell themselves they’ll pay back the cash before someone notices.

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Indio police investigated an embezzlement case that happened at Herbert Hoover Elementary School. A former PTA president is accused of withdrawing $22,000 from ATMs.(Photo11: The Desert Sun file photo)Buy Photo

A former PTA president is facing grand theft charges for allegedly embezzling more than $22,000 from Herbert Hoover Elementary School in Indio.

Danny Cervantes, 34, is accused of withdrawing $22,473 between October 2016 and Sept. 11 from Bank of America branches and ATMs in Indio, La Quinta and Calexico.

According to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant filed by Indio police, Cervantes is accused of using a debit card he received after being appointed PTA president and treasurer in October 2016.

"A single debit card was issued for the account with Danny having the only access," an investigator wrote in the declaration.

Cervantes could not be reached for comment and court records didn't list an attorney.

In a statement, Desert Sands Unified School District officials said: "We understand that charges have been officially filed and that due process has begun. We have no comment regarding the individual in question as we do not want to in any way jeopardize the trial process."

Cervantes got the volunteer position because he had a background in accounting and his responsibilities included balancing finances, issuing payments and making deposits and purchases. His Facebook page identifies him as a former Indio High School student and current manager at an H&R Block branch.

An investigation into the embezzlement began in August after a Hoover Elementary teacher reported the theft to police.

According to the declaration, she told police that bank records showed multiple cash withdraws and those were unusual because the PTA usually made purchases with checks and debit cards.

The teacher "routinely" asked Cervantes for updates on finances but he never provided them and "vehemently avoided providing any type of official bank statements," investigators said.

Police contacted Bank of America and obtained footage of the suspect's transactions. They interviewed him in October and he initially denied making all the transactions, claiming other people had access to the debit card.

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